Palmyra proposes new curfew times, boosts fines

If approved, curfew would be 10 p.m. for kids under 16, while fines would be $50-$300.

PALMYRA &GT;&GT; The borough plans to change its curfew times and increase fines for violations.

Two weeks ago several residents asked council to consider shortening the hours before curfew, complaining about children under 16 years of age being out after 11:30 p.m. near North Lincoln and Main streets as well as Chestnut and North Lincoln streets. Curfew in the borough is 11:30 p.m. until 6 a.m.

Borough manager Roger Powl, who researched curfew times in other communities, said they vary across the state, with some municipalities setting earlier times during the school year and later times in the summer. Powl said one community even sounds a siren in the evening to signify curfew has begun.

Palmyra's neighbors, North and South Londonderry townships, have curfews from 11:30 p.m.-6 a.m. Other municipalities in Lebanon County have similar curfew hours.

Mayor Fred Carpenter, who oversees the police department, suggested curfew be from 11 p.m.-6 a.m., a reduction of 30 minutes from the current ordinance.

Council Vice President Pat Hennessy recommended two curfew times, 10 p.m.-6 a.m. for those under 16 and 11 p.m.-6 p.m. for those between 16 and 18.

"I think the fines should be increased, too," Hennessy added, suggesting the fines be bumped to $100 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $300 after that.

Councilman Gary Laudermilch argued that such high fines could hurt families economically.

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"But the parents are the ones that are going to be fined," Laudermilch said,

"It might be a little high, but it'll teach parents that they need to watch their kids," Hennessy countered.

Other council members agreed that it is parents who are responsible for their children.

Council agreed to set curfew hours from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. for kids under 16 and 11 p.m.-6 a.m. for kids between 16 and 18. The fine for the first offense would be $50 but would increase to $300 for repeated offenses.

Currently, first offenders receive a warning. After that, the fine is $25. Also, Powl said, a judge currently has the discretion to set the fine at a higher level.

Powl said borough solicitor Joselle Cleary will review the changes before council formally adopts them at a future meeting. Since the borough is currently recodifying its ordinances, any changes will be added to the new code book, which council is expected to approve by the end of the year.

In other business, Powl told council the cost to repair the sinkholes on East Cherry Street would range between $750,000 and $1.1 million. Powl is researching ways to pay for the repairs, including a bank loan, a grant through PennVEST and a loan from the borough's sewer fund, which has a balance of $2.5 million. Council is expected to review its options at a later meeting.

Council also reviewed a request from police Chief Stanley Jasinski Jr. to increase police fees to put them more in line with the current state vehicle code, as well as those of surrounding communities. The fees include fees for parking violations, false alarms, copies of criminal history, amusement and entertainment (pinball, arcade-type games in establishments) and dog pick-up fees. Bicycle permits would remain the same at $1. Council took no action on the request at the workshop.

Council also approved a resolution to insert an escalator clause in its bidding documents and contracts for road materials during 2014. This allows the borough to reap savings if the price of oil goes down; if the price increases, the contractor does not take the hit, Powl said.

The borough approved a road closure request for the Palmyra Area High School annual homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 3 from 6-6:35 p.m.

In other news, Powl said a zoning hearing board meeting concerning a proposal to erect a cell tower on North Lingle Avenue has — for the third time — been rescheduled. The hearing was set Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. It has been postponed until Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m.